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Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Stuck in Place - Martin Wiles

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.Titus 2:12 NLTI’ve tried it at my home, in a motel room, and in a gym; I didn’t like it either place. For me, exercising in place is the supreme act of boredom. I once owned a treadmill and used it religiously. I placed it in the den so I could watch television while walking. I soon tired of the same scenery—or lack thereof. I then bought a stair climber, thinking this would provide a more strenuous workout. In the den it went. Once again, boredom marched in. Going to a gym didn’t help. Though there were others around, the scenery was the same. I’ve even run and walked in place in a motel room if I was away on a business trip. Regardless of where I exercise, I’m stuck in place if I do it on a stationary machine. I also have to endure the same scenery. Give me the outside. A place where my view changes frequently and is unlimited. A place where I can hear birds sing, watch geese waddle in the pond, and marvel at the various types of trees, wildflowers, and wildlife. A place where I can actually say I’ve moved from point A to point B. As exercising in place confines me, so there have been times when I felt stuck spiritually. I wasn’t necessarily dabbling in godless living or sinful pleasures. I just wasn’t making any forward motion.When I’m not moving forward spiritually—when I’m not growing in my walk with God, I’m actually falling backwards. God doesn’t want my journey with him to look like a yield graph of some popular stock. Rather, he desires a steady incline with no dips or plateaus. If I allow myself to get stuck in place, Satan will move in and steal my focus and lead me into sinful areas. Eagerly studying God’s Word for practical insights—not merely reading it because I always have, staying in close connection with fellow believers—not simply because of what they can do for me, and praying heartfelt, earnest prayers—not merely repeating words and phrases, will all move me from a stuck position and keep me on the incline. Decide on one action you can take that will prevent you from being stuck spiritually.Prayer: Father, keep us close to You and always on the move in our spiritual growth.

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